Feeder for cotton-presses



(No Model'.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

' R. I. KIRKPATRICK.

FEEDER FOR COTTON PRESSES.

INVENTOR Q, (flaw 46m Pat ted Feb. 14,1882.

WITNESSES: aw. w. 6 Kym/La? ATTORNEYS.

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(N0 Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

R'. I. KIRKPATRICK. FEEDER EoE COTTON PRESSES.

No. 253,719. Patented Feb. 14,1882.

I n A 1 WITH-88% I INVENTOK: w .%WWW I (fi Xvi/0 I ATTORNEYS.

N. PEYERS. Fholn-Lilhognlplwr. Waslunglou. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT I. KIRKPATRICK, OF LEBANON, TEXAS.

FEEDER FOR COTTON-PRE SSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 253,719, dated February 14,1882.

Application filed September 24, 1881.

- To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT INsLEY KIRK- PATRICK, of Lebanon, Collin county, Texas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Feeders for Cotton-Presses, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptlon.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all-the figures.

Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a side elevation of my improvement. Fig. 2, Sheet 1, is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3, Sheet 1, is a sectional elevation of the escape-fine for air and dust. Fig. 4, Sheet 2, is a sectional side elevation of the improvement. Fig. 5, Sheet 2, is a plan view, partly in section.

The object of this invention is to provide an effective mechanism to receive cotton from the gin-spout and pack it into the baling-box of a press.

The invention consists in a feeder for cotton-presses, constructed with a box to receive the cotton from the gin, the said receiving-box beingprovided with a movable top board to force the cotton into the packing-box placed beneath the said receiving-box, and from which the cotton is forced into the baling-press by a follower.

The invention further consists in the combination, with the packing-box, its follower, and the drive-shaft, of a rack-bar, a gear-wheel, and pulleys and belts, whereby the said follower is moved forwardand back; also, in the combination, with the rack-bar and its driving-gear wheel, of guide-pulleys for holding the said rack-bar and gear-wheel in gear and a pawl for holding the packing-box follower in place when pushed forward; and, also, in the combination, with the rack-bar, of arms and a roller and track for supporting the said rack-bar when the follower is drawn back. 7

The invention further consists in the combination, with the receiving-box and its movable top board having slotted lower end, of a rack,

a flue, and a hinged board, whereby the dust and the airentering the said receiving-box with the cotton are allowed to escape freely; also, in the combination, with the movable top board and the driving-shaft, of a connecting-bar, a

(No model.)

crank-shaft, a band and pulleys, and a spring, whereby the said top board will be operated to press down the cotton and clear the dustflue rack; also, in the combination, with the driving-belt of the top board crank-shaft, of the belt-tightening pulley and lever, whereby the movement of the receiving-box top board can be stopped and started; and, also, in the combination, with the top-board crank-shaft, of a crank, a cord, and a guide-pulley, whereby the said top board can be raised and held.

The invention further consistsin the combination, with the bali-ng-box having open side and its follower, of a vertical board to close the said open side and prevent cotton from entering the baling-box when the follower is down; also, in the combination, with the packing-box having open upper side and its follower, of the horizontal board, to prevent cotton from entering the packing-box when its follower is pushed forward; and, also, in the combination, with the horizontal board attached to the packing-box follower, of the roller whereby the said board is supported, as will be hereinafter fully described.

Arepresents the frame, B the baling-box,

and O the follower, of an ordinary cottonpress.

The box B is provided with doors-1) in its lower partfor convenience in removing the bales. The follower G is raised and lowered by means of a screw, E, or other suitable means.

With the upper part of the press-frame A is connected the frame F of the packing or feedbox G, the forward end of which opens into the upper part of the rear or inner side of the baliug-box B, so that the cotton can be pushed from the packing-box Ginto the baling-box B by the follower H. The follower Hfits into the interior of the packing-box G, and is mounted.

upon a roller, I, which rolls upon the floor of The central pulley, N, is designed to receive the straight belt P when the follower H is to be moved forward and the crossed belt Q when the followerH is to be moved back. The belts P Q pass around the long pulley R attached to the driving-shaft S, which revolves in bearings attached to the frame F or other suitable support, and is connected with any convenient driving-power by a belt and pulleys or other suitable gearing.

To the sides of the rack-bar J are attached sidebars, T, upon the upper sides of which rest guide-pulleys U, to keep the said rack J in gear with the gear-wheel K. To the outer ends of the bars T are attached short downwardly and outwardly inclined arms V, to and between the lower ends of which is pivoted a roller, W, which, when the rack J and follower H are drawn outward, rests upon a bar, rail or track, X, to support the outer end of the said rack. The bar X is attached to the frame of the building or other suitable support. The guide-pulleys U revolve upon ashaft, Y, attached to the packing-box frame F; and to the said shaft Y, between the'said pulleys U, is attached a pawl, Z, to engage with a notch in the upper side of the rack-bar J, and hold the follower H, when pushed fully forward, against the rearward pressure of the cotton while being forced downward in the baling-box 13 by the follower 0.

To the upper forward part of the frame F is attached the frame a of the box I), which receives the lint or cotton from the discharge spout 0 of a cotton-gin.

The receiving-box b is made open at the bottom, and opens into the top of the packingbox G. When the follower H is pushed forward the cotton that enters the receiving-box b rests upon a board, (I, the forward end of which is attached to the upper end of the follower H. The outer part of the stop-board cl rests upon and is supported by a roller, 0, pivoted to the rear upper part of the packing-box frame F. With this construction, when the follower H is drawn back the cotton resting upon the stop-board. d will be pushed off by the rear end of the receiving-box b, and will fall to the packing-box floor f, ready to be forced into the baling-box B by the advance of the follower H.

To the inner side of the follower O is attached the lower end of a board, g, which, when the said follower O descends, closes the open forward end of the packing-box G and prevents any cotton from entering the baling-box B be I fore the said follower is again raised.

To the upper rear part of the receiving-box b is attached a rod, 71, which passes through a long keeper, 2', attached to the upper side of the board j. The boardj inclines downward, and is designed for the cotton to strike against as it enters the receiving-box b from the ginspout c. The lower end of theinclined board j is slotted to allow the air and dust entering the receiving-box b with the cotton to escape freely.

In the forward part of the receiving-box I) is placed a perforated or slotted board or rack, 70, to allow the air and dust to enter the flue l, which passes down at the side of the machine and disch arges the air and dust upon the ground or into some suitable receiver.

To the upper side of the forward part of the stop-board j, just above its slots, is hinged the lower end of the board m, which rests against the inner edge of the top of the flue Ito cause all the air and dust from the receiving-box I) to enter the said flue I.

To the boardj, at or near the hinging-point of the board m, is hinged the lower end of a connecting-bar, n, the upper end of which is pivoted to a crank, 0, formed upon the shaft 1). The crank-shaft p revolves in bearings in supports q attached to the receiving-box frame a, and to it is attached a large pulley, '1', around which passes a belt, 3. The belt 8 also passes around apulley, t, attach ed to the driving-shaft S at the inner side of the long pulley R. With this construction, as the machine is operated the board j will be drawn back and raised and carried forward and lowered, so as to clean off any cotton that may lodge upon the rack and press the cotton into the packing-box G when the follower II is drawn back, and into the lower part of the receivingbox b when the follower His pushed forward. The belt .9 is put on slack, and is made taut by a pulley, u, pivoted to the end of the lever e, which is pivoted to the frame Fin such a position that its free end can be readily reached and operated to slacken the belt 8 and stop the movement of the crank-shaft p and boardj when desired.

To the end of the crank-shaftp is attached, or upon it is formed, a crank, 10, to which is attached the end of a cord, or. The cord 00 passes over a pulley, y, pivoted to a standard, 2, attached to the frame of the machine, and 6X- tends down into such a position that it can be readily grasped and operated by the pressman to turn the crank-shaft p and raise the board jto its highest position when the belt 8 has been slackened and the revolution of the said crauk-shaftp stopped, so as to give afree space for the cotton to enter the receiving-box b and for the dust and air to escape into and through the flue l.

The boardj is held forward by spiral or other springs, 1, so that its movements will be properly controlled by the crank-shaft p.

To the rear end of the boardj is hinged or otherwise attached a board, 2, a strip of cloth, or other suitable cover for, the opening between the said board and gin discharge-spout c, to prevent the dust and air from escaping through the said opening into the lint-room.

With this construction the gins can be operated continuously, the cotton beingdetained in the packing-box and in the receiving-box while the bale is being pressed, bound, and removed.

One, two, or more gins can be connected with one receiving-box, if desired.

IOO

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. ,A feeder for cotton-presses, constructed substantially as herein shown and described, consisting of the packing-box and its follower and operating mechanism and the receivingbox and its movable top board, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the baling-box B of a cotton-press and the discharge-spout c of a cotton-gin, of the packing-box G, the follower H and its operating mechanism, and the receiving-box b and its movable top board, j, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the cotton from the gin dischargespout is forced into the baling-box of the press, as set forth. I

3. In a feeder for cotton-presses, the combination, with the packing-box G, the follower H, and the drive-shaft S, of the rack-bar J, the gear-wheel K, and the pulleys and bands M N O R P Q, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said follower can be moved forward and back, as set forth.

4. In a feeder for cotton-presses, the combination, with the packing-box G, the gear-wheel K, the guide-roller U, the shaft Y, and the pawl Z, of the follower roller I, and the rack J, provided with a notch on its upper side, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a feeder for cotton-presses, the combination, with the rack-bar J, of the arms V, roller W, and track X, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said rackbar will be supported when drawn outward, as set forth.

6. In a feeder for cotton-presses, the combination, with the receiving-box b and the movable top board, j, having slotted lower end, of the rack k, the flue l, and the hinged board m, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the dust and air entering the receiving-box with the cotton are allowed to escape freely, as set forth.

7. In a feeder for cotton-presses, the combi nation, with the movable top board,j, and the driving-shaft.S, of the connecting-bar n, the

H, provided with the crank-shaft p, the pulleys and band 7' t s, and the springs 1, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said top board will be operated to press down the cotton and clear the dust-flue rack, as set forth.

8. In a feeder for cotton-presses, the combi- 9. In a feeder for cotton-presses, the combi-' nation, with the crank-shaft 12, that operates the receiving-box top board, j, of the crank w, and the cord or, and guide-pulley y, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said top board can be raised and held, as set forth. s

10. In a feeder for cotton-presses, the combination, with the haling-box B, having open side, and the follower O, of the vertical board G, attached to the inner side of the said follower, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby cotton is prevented from entering the baling-box when the follower is forced down, as set forth.

11. In a feeder for cotton-presses, the combination, with the packing-box G, having open upper side, and the follower H, of the horizontal board d, having its forward end attached to the upper end of the said follower, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the cotton is prevented from entering the said packing-box when the follower is pushed forward, as set forth.

12. In a feeder for cotton-presses, the combination, with the horizontal board d, attached to the packing-box follower H, of the roller 6, pivoted to the rear upper part of the packingbox frame F, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said board is supported, as set forth.

ROBERT raster KIRKPATRICK.

Witnesses: v

J OHN W. STEVENS, J. T. Reason. 

